Act 1, Scene 2

[Padua, outside the house of Hortensio (one of Bianca’s suitors). Enter Petruchio, Hortensio’s friend from Verona, who has arrived in town to visit him. Petruchio’s accompanied by his rascally servant, Grumio (not to be confused with Gremio, the elder suitor of Bianca.]

Petruchio

Verona, for a while I take my leave

To see my friends in Padua, but of all,

My best belovèd and approvèd friend,

Hortensio; and I trow this is his house.

Performance

Petruchio and Grumio, Lines 1-20

Here, sirrah Grumio, knock, I say.

Grumio (Petruchio’s servant)

Knock, sir? Whom should I knock? Is there any

man has rebused your worship?

Wordplay

“Is there any man has ‘rebused’ your worship?”

[Click to see note.]

Wordplay

“Is there any man has ‘rebused’ your worship?”

Grumio, not the most educated of servants, has confused “abused” and “rebuked,” coming up with “rebused.”

Petruchio

Villain, I say, knock me here soundly.

Grumio

Knock you here, sir? Why, sir, what am I, sir, that

I should knock you here, sir?

Petruchio

Villain, I say, knock me at this gate,

and rap me well, or I'll knock your knave's pate.

Grumio

[Enter Petruchio and his man Grumio]

Petruchio

I’m leaving Verona for a little while, to see my friends in Padua. I especially want to visit my best friend Hortensio — and I think this is his house! Here it is, Grumio, knock.

Grumio

Knock, sir? Whom should I “knock”? Has someone offended you?

Petruchio

Idiot! I’m telling you to knock for me, here.

Grumio

Knock you here, sir? Why, sir, who am I, sir, to knock you here, sir?

Petruchio

Come on, idiot! Knock on this gate for me, and do it loudly or I’ll knock your foolish head.

Grumio

My master’s in a bad mood. If I hit him first, I’ll be sorry.

Petruchio

Is he really not going to do it? I swear, man, if you don’t knock, I’ll make you sing like a doorbell.

[He wrings him by the ears]

Grumio

Help, masters, help! My master is crazy!

Petruchio

Next time you’ll knock when I tell you to knock, you idiot!

[Enter Hortensio]

My master is grown quarrelsome.

I should knock you first,

And then I know after who comes by the worst.

Petruchio

Will it not be?

Faith, sirrah, an you'll not knock, I'll ring it;

[He wrings Grumio by the ears who falls to the ground screaming]

I'll try how you can ‘sol,’ ‘fa,’ and sing it.

Wordplay

“I'll ring it; I'll try how you can ‘sol’ ‘fa’, and sing it.”

[Click to see note.]

Wordplay

“I'll ring it; I'll try how you can ‘sol’ ‘fa’, and sing it.”

After “ringing” the door like a bell (using the metal knocker), Petruchio “wrings”, (twists) Grumio’s ears until he “sings” out with pain. The first note in the musical scale of that period was “sol” (like “do” in “do re mi”). But “to sol” meant to seize an animal by the ears.

Petruchio

Hortensio

Grumio

Listen, sir: whatever you guys are saying in Latin, I have good reason to quit working for Petruchio. Let me explain what happened. He told me to knock and hit him hard, sir. Well, would it be right for a servant to treat his master like that? Especially since, as far as I can tell, he’s a little crazy? Now I wish I’d knocked him first. I would have been better off.

Petruchio

He’s being an idiot. Hortensio, listen, I told him to knock on your door, and no matter what I said he wouldn’t do it.

Grumio

Knock on the door? Oh please! You didn’t say that, you said “knock me here, knock me hard and knock me strongly.” And now you say “knock on the door”?

Petruchio

Go away, man, or at least shut up.

perhaps, for aught I see, two and thirty, a pip out?

Wordplay

“Being perhaps ... two and thirty, a pip out”

[Click to see note.]

Wordplay

“Being perhaps ... two and thirty, a pip out”

Grumio’s saying that it’s not fitting to get physical with someone as old as Hortensio, who’s thirty two (two and thirty). But he adds a clever joke. He says that perhaps he’s off a year (a pip out) on Hortensio's age, and to say that someone’s “one and thirty” was slang for saying that they’re roaring drunk.

Whom would to God I had well knocked at first,

Then had not Grumio come by the worst.

Petruchio

A senseless villain. Good Hortensio,

I bade the rascal knock upon your gate,

And could not get him for my heart to do it.

Grumio

Knock at the gate? O heavens! Spake you not these

words plain: 'Sirrah, knock me here, rap me here, knock

me well, and knock me soundly'? And come you now

with, 'knocking at the gate'?

Petruchio

Sirrah, be gone, or talk not, I advise you.

Hortensio

Performance

Hortensio, Lines 43-47

Petruchio, patience; I am Grumio's pledge.

Why, this' a heavy chance 'twixt him and you,

Your ancient, trusty, pleasant servant Grumio.

And tell me now, sweet friend, what happy gale

Blows you to Padua here from old Verona?

Petruchio

Performance

Petruchio, Lines 48-56

Such wind as scatters young men through the world

To seek their fortunes farther than at home,

Where small experience grows. But in a few,

Signor Hortensio, thus it stands with me:

Hortensio

Petruchio, calm down. I’m with Grumio on this one. It’s terrible to see you fighting. Grumio’s been your trusty servant forever. But now tell me, my friend, what wind carried you from Verona to Padua?

Petruchio

The same wind that always sends young men all over the place. To look for fortune outside of the small world of home. But to put it simply, sir Hortensio, here’s what happened. My father Antonio died, so I’m jumping into the craziness of adult life. I’m excited to face its ups and downs. I’ve got money in my pocket and savings at home, so I thought I’d get out and see the world.

Hortensio

Petruchio, let me cut to the chase: can I ask you to marry a hated woman? You’re not going to like it, but I can promise it’ll make you rich. Very rich! On second thought, you’re my good friend... I won’t ask you to do this.

Antonio, my father, is deceased,

And I have thrust myself into this maze,

Happily to wive and thrive as best I may.

Proverb

“to wive and thrive as best I may”

[Click to see note.]

Proverb

“to wive and thrive as best I may”

Petruchio’s comment brings to mind two common proverbs:

First thrive, and then wive.

It’s hard to wive and thrive both in a year.

Crowns in my purse I have, and goods at home,

And so am come abroad to see the world.

Hortensio

Performance

Hortensio, Lines 57-62

Petruchio, shall I then come roundly to thee

And wish thee to a shrewd ill-favoured wife?

Thou'dst thank me but a little for my counsel;

And yet I'll promise thee, she shall be rich,

And very rich. But thou'rt too much my friend,

And I'll not wish thee to her.

Petruchio

Performance

Petruchio, Lines 63-74

Signior Hortensio, 'twixt such friends as we,

Few words suffice; and therefore, if thou know

One rich enough to be Petruchio's wife —

As wealth is burden of my wooing dance —

Be she as foul as was Florentius' love,

As old as Sibyl, and as curst and shrewd

As Socrates' Xanthippe, or a worse,

Mythological Allusions

Florentius’ Sibyl and Socrates’ Xanthippe

[Click to see note.]

Mythological Allusions

Florentius’ Sibyl and Socrates’ Xanthippe

Florentius was a prince who was ordered to find the answer to the question, “What is it that women most desire to have?” Then he was to marry the woman who had provided him with the correct answer. Unfortunately for him, that woman was an ugly witch. (By the way, according to the witch, the correct answer turns out to be that women most desire the power to determine what men desire.)

Sibyl was a woman whom the god Apollo seduced by promising her that he would grant her a wish. After she gave in had sex with him, she stated her wish: to live as many years as the grains of sand that she held in her hand. But since she had failed to include youth as part of her wish, she lived for many centuries as a withered old woman.

Xanthippe was Socrates’ wife, notorious for her nagging and shrewishness.

She moves me not — or not removes, at least,

Affection's edge in me — were she as rough

Wordplay

“She moves me not — or not removes, at least, affection's edge in me”

[Click to see note.]

Wordplay

“She moves me not — or not removes, at least, affection's edge in me”

Even if Katherina were as rough as an ocean storm, she would not “move” Petruchio. Or, in any case, she wouldn’t “remove” from him his affections for her.

As are the swelling Adriatic seas.

I come to wive it wealthily in Padua;

Petruchio

Sir Hortensio, no need to beat around the bush. If you know someone rich enough to be my wife — since you know rich women are my type — even if she were as ugly as Florentius’ lover, as old as that ancient Sibyl, and as mean as Socrates’ nagging wife Xanthippe, I’d marry her! Even if I didn’t like her at all, even if I hated her and she were rougher than the Adriatic sea, I’d still marry her! I came to Padua to marry rich. As far as I’m concerned, a wealthy marriage is a happy marriage.

Grumio

Look, Hortensio, he’s telling you the truth. If you paid him enough, he’d marry a puppet, or a toothless old woman with more diseases than a stable full of horses. As long as money comes with her, no problem.

If wealthily, then happily, in Padua.

Grumio

Performance

Grumio, Lines 75-80

[To Hortensio] Nay, look you, sir, he tells you flatly what his mind

is. Why, give him gold enough and marry him to a puppet

or an aglet-baby, or an old trot with ne'er a tooth in her

Cultural Context

“aglet-baby”

[Click to see note.]

Cultural Context

“aglet-baby”

An aglet is a small soft object, sometimes in the form of a doll, attached to female clothing. It’s used to fasten the garment when worn.

head, though she have as many diseases as two-and-fifty

horses. Why, nothing comes amiss, so money comes

withal.

Hortensio

Performance

Hortensio, Lines 81-90

Petruchio, since we are stepped thus far in,

I will continue that I broached in jest.

I can, Petruchio, help thee to a wife

Hortensio

Well, Petruchio, I was only joking, but since we’ve gotten so far into it I’ll give you the details. I can help you find a wife who’s rich, young, and beautiful. She had the best upbringing, suitable for a lady. But she has one fault, one huge fault: she’s an intolerable, rude, and nagging jerk. Even if I were far poorer than I am, I wouldn’t marry her for a gold mine.

Petruchio

Hortensio, calm down! You clearly don’t understand the value of gold. Tell me her father’s name; that’s all I need to know. I’ll pursue her even if her insults are as loud as a thunderstorm.

Hortensio

Her father is Baptista Minola. He’s kind and courteous. The woman’s name is Katherina Minola, famous in Padua for her scolding.

With wealth enough, and young and beauteous,

Brought up as best becomes a gentlewoman.

Her only fault, and that is faults enough,

Is that she is intolerable curst,

And shrewd, and froward, so beyond all measure

That, were my state far worser than it is,

I would not wed her for a mine of gold.

Petruchio

Performance

Petruchio, Lines 91-94

Hortensio, peace! Thou know'st not gold's effect.

Tell me her father's name and 'tis enough.

For I will board her, though she chide as loud

As thunder when the clouds in autumn crack.

Hortensio

Performance

Hortensio, Lines 95-98

Her father is Baptista Minola,

An affable and courteous gentleman;

Her name is Katherina Minola,

Renowned in Padua for her scolding tongue.

Petruchio

Performance

Petruchio, Lines 99-104

I know her father, though I know not her,

And he knew my deceased father well.

I will not sleep, Hortensio, till I see her;

And therefore let me be thus bold with you,

To give you over at this first encounter,

Unless you will accompany me thither.

Grumio

Performance

Grumio, Lines 105-113

[To Hortensio] I pray you, sir, let him go while the

humor lasts. O' my word, an she knew him as well as

Petruchio

I’ve never heard of her, but I do know her father. He knew my own father, before he died. I won’t sleep until I see her, Hortensio, so I should go find her. I’m sorry to leave so soon after greeting you. Or do you want to come with me?

Grumio

[To Hortensio] Sir, you’d better let him go while he still wants to go through with it. If she knew him as well as I do, she’d know her scolding won’t affect him. She can call him an idiot a dozen times — that’s nothing to him. Once he gets started, he’ll shout abuses like crazy. I’ll tell you what, sir, if she can stand him long enough, he’ll disfigure her with figures of speech until she can’t even see so much as a cat. You have no idea, sir.

I do, she would think scolding would do little good

upon him. She may perhaps call him half a score

knaves or so — why, that's nothing. An he begin once,

he'll rail in his rope tricks. I'll tell you what, sir, an she

Wordplay

“he’ll rail in his rope tricks”

[Click to see note.]

Wordplay

“he’ll rail in his rope tricks”

Two possible interpretations:

“Rope tricks” is Grumio’s pronunciation of “rhetoric,” which is the art of using figures of speech. Petruchio will rant at Katherina using the elaborate language of a nobleman.

Besides the obvious meaning of hitting Katrina in the face with an object, Petruchio will throw a “figure of speech” in her face which will “dis-figure” her, as in, leave her speechless.

Don’t worry if you don’t understand the part about leaving her with more eyes than a cat. Although it must have meant something to Shakespeare’s audience, no critic today has a clue what this means.

eyes to see withal than a cat. You know him not, sir.

Hortensio

Performance

Hortensio, Lines 114-124

Tarry, Petruchio, I must go with thee,

For in Baptista's keep my treasure is.

He hath the jewel of my life in hold,

And her withholds from me and others more,

Wordplay

“in Baptista's keep my treasure is … ”

[Click to see note.]

Wordplay

“in Baptista's keep my treasure is … ”

Hortensio is making a pun on “keep.” In one sense, Bianca is in her father’s keep (care). In another sense, Hortensio compares her to a precious jewel, a treasure, which is locked away in the fortified central tower of a castle — the “keep”. The keep is also where someone is imprisoned, placed “in hold,” which is how Baptista can “withhold” Bianca from Lucentio.

Hortensio

Wait, Petruchio, I’m coming with you. My own treasure’s waiting at Baptista’s place. He’s hiding the love of my life from me like a jewel: his youngest daughter, beautiful Bianca. He’s protecting her from the other men pursuing her, too, my rivals. sSince Katherine is so horrible, like I said, her father thinks she’ll never find a husband. So he decided that nobody can pursue Bianca until Katherine the cruel gets married.

Gremio

Katherine the cruel! What a terrible title for a girl.

Hortensio

Now my friend Petruchio will do me a favor, and tell old Baptista to hire me, in disguise, as a music teacher for Bianca. That’s the only way I can get one-on-one time to flirt with her.

[Enter Gremio, and Lucentio disguised as Cambio]

Suitors to her, and rivals in my love.

Supposing it a thing impossible —

For those defects I have before rehearsed —

That ever Katherina will be woo'd,

Therefore this order hath Baptista ta'en:

That none shall have access unto Bianca

Till Katherine the curst have got a husband.

Grumio

Performance

Grumio, Lines 125-126

‘Katherine the curst!’

A title for a maid, of all titles, the worst.

Hortensio

Performance

Hortensio, Lines 127-133

Now shall my friend Petruchio do me grace,

And offer me disguised in sober robes

To old Baptista as a schoolmaster,

Well seen in music to instruct Bianca,

That so I may by this device at least

Have leave and leisure to make love to her,

And, unsuspected, court her by herself.

Grumio

Here's no knavery. See, to beguile the old folks, how

Irony

“Here's no knavery”

[Click to see note.]

Irony

“Here's no knavery”

After hearing of Petruchio’s plan to marry Katherina for money and Hortensio's scheme to disguise himself to get access to Bianca, the sarcastic Grumio responds ironically, “Here’s no knavery (dishonesty).” His statement proves doubly ironic when we realize that Lucentio, who has just entered, is also being deceitful in order to get access to Bianca.

the young folks lay their heads together!

[Enter Gremio (the elderly suitor of Bianca) with Lucentio.]

Master, master, look about you who goes there, ha.

Hortensio

Peace, Grumio, it is the rival of my love.

Petruchio, stand by a while.

Grumio

[Referring to the elderly Gremio] A proper stripling and an amorous!

[Petruchio, Hortensio, and Grumio stand aside, leaving Gremio (the elderly suitor) and Lucentio in center stage. Lucentio, knowing that Gremio would be looking for a teacher he could present to Baptista to gain Baptista’s good favor, has previously introduced himself as Cambio, a language teacher. Gremio is holding an order for some foreign language books, all dealing with love; we join them in mid conversation.]

Gremio

Performance

Gremio and Lucentio, Lines 140-155

O, very well; I have perused the note.

Hark you, sir, I'll have them very fairly bound,

All books of love. See that at any hand;

And see you read no other lectures to her.

You understand me? Over and beside

Signor Baptista's liberality,

I'll mend it with a largess. Take your paper too,

And let me have them very well perfumed,

For she is sweeter than perfume itself

To whom they go to. What will you read to her?

Lucentio

Grumio

Oh the trickery! See how these young men scheme against the elderly. — Master, look. Who is that?

Hortensio

Grumio

[Referring to Gremio] Oh, a handsome young man! A heartbreaker!

[Petruchio, Hortensio, and Grumio stand aside]

Gremio (to Lucentio)

Okay fine, I’ve looked at the notes you gave me. Listen: I want the books to be bound with pretty covers. And make sure that you only read to her from books about love. Do you understand me? If you do what I ask, I’ll pay you a bonus, in addition to whatever Signor Baptista gives you. And take these papers. You should scent them with perfume, because they’re for a woman sweeter than perfume itself. What will you teach her about?

Lucentio

Whatever I teach her about, I’ll try to convince her to love you, since you’re paying me. Don’t worry, it’ll be like you’re there in person to flirt with her. Maybe even better than that, since you’re not the best with words.

Whate'er I read to her, I'll plead for you

As for my patron, stand you so assured,

As firmly as yourself were still in place —

Yea, and perhaps with more successful words

Than you, unless you were a scholar, sir.

Gremio

O this learning, what a thing it is!

Grumio (Petruchio’s servant)

[Aside, referring to Gremio]

O this woodcock, what an ass it is!

Cultural Context

“Woodcock”

[Click to see note.]

Cultural Context

“Woodcock”

A woodcock is a bird of the snipe family, proverbial for its stupidity.

Petruchio

[Aside to Grumio] Peace, sirrah!

Hortensio

[Aside] Grumio, mum! [Aloud] God save you, Signor Gremio.

Gremio

Performance

Gremio and Lucentio, Lines 159-164

And you are well met, Signior Hortensio. Trow you

whither I am going? To Baptista Minola. I promised to

inquire carefully about a schoolmaster for the fair Bianca;

and by good fortune I have lighted well on this young

Gremio

Oh, how great is education!

Grumio

[Aside] Oh, how gullible is this idiot!

Petruchio

[Aside] Be quiet!

Hortensio

[Aside] Grumio, shut up! [Aloud] Oh hello, Signor Gremio.

Gremio

Good to see you, Signor Hortensio. Guess where I’m going? To Baptista Minola. I told him I’d look for a tutor for beautiful Bianca. And luckily, I found this young man. He’s perfectly educated and well behaved, and he’s read a lot of poetry and books — good ones, I’m telling you.

Hortensio

That’s nice. I’ve met someone who told me he knows a good music teacher for Bianca. So I won’t fall behind in courting Bianca, whom I love so much.

Gremio

Whom I love so much. And I’ll prove it through my actions.

Grumio

[Aside] And he’ll prove it through his wallet.

man, for learning and behavior fit for her turn, well read

in poetry and other books — good ones, I warrant ye.

Hortensio

Performance

Hortensio, Lines 165-169

'Tis well, and I have met a gentleman

Hath promised me to help me to another,

A fine musician to instruct our mistress.

So shall I no whit be behind in duty

To fair Bianca, so beloved of me.

Gremio

Beloved of me — and that, my deeds shall prove.

Grumio (Petruchio’s servant)

[Aside] And that, his bags shall prove.

Hortensio

Performance

Hortensio and Petruchio, Lines 172-178

Gremio, 'tis now no time to vent our love.

Listen to me, and if you speak me fair,

I'll tell you news indifferent good for either.

Here is a gentleman whom by chance I met,

Upon agreement from us to his liking,

Will undertake to woo curst Katherine,

Yea, and to marry her, if her dowry please.

Cultural Context

Dowry

[Click to see note.]

Cultural Context

Dowry

In former times, it was customary for the bride’s family to give a substantial sum of money — a dowry — to the newlywed couple.

Gremio

Performance

Gremio and Lucentio, Lines 179-180

So said, so done, is well.

Hortensio, have you told him all her faults?

Petruchio

Performance

Petruchio and Hortensio, Lines 181-182

I know she is an irksomebrawling scold.

If that be all, masters, I hear no harm.

Gremio

No, say'st me so, friend? What countryman?

Petruchio

Hortensio

Gremio, now is not the time to fight over our love. Listen to this: I’ve got news that’s good for both of us. This man here says he’ll pursue Katherine the cruel, and even marry her if he gets enough money out of it.

Gremio

Great, but that’s easier said than done. Hortensio, have you told him about all her faults?

Petruchio

I know she’s an annoying, combative, and rude. But if that’s all, what’s the problem?

Gremio

What’s the problem? Where are you from, pal?

Petruchio

I was born in Verona, I’m Antonio’s son. Now that my father’s dead, his fortune is mine. I hope to live a good, long life.

Gremio

A life like that with a wife like that — how strange. But if you can handle it, by all means go ahead. I’ll do what I can to help. Will you really pursue this crazy woman?

Petruchio

Do you think I’ll survive?

Grumio

He’d better pursue her. Or I’ll hang her!

Born in Verona, old Antonio's son.

My father dead, my fortune lives for me,

And I do hope good days and long to see.

Gremio

O sir, such a life with such a wife were strange.

But if you have a stomach, to't in God's name;

You shall have me assisting you in all.

But will you woo this wildcat?

Petruchio

Will I live?

Grumio (Petruchio’s servant)

Will he woo her? Ay, or I'll hang her.

Proverbs

[Click to see note.]

Proverbs

Grumio’s joke brings to mind several proverbs:

1) Better be half hanged than ill wed.

2) Many a good hanging prevents a bad marriage.

3) Better well hung than poorly wed.

Petruchio

Performance

Petruchio, Lines 193-205

Why came I hither but to that intent?

Think you a little din can daunt mine ears?

Have I not in my time heard lions roar?

Have I not heard the sea, puffed up with winds,

Rage like an angry boar chafed with sweat?

Have I not heard great ordnance in the field,

And heaven's artillery thunder in the skies?

Have I not, in a pitched battle, heard

Loud 'larums, neighing steeds, and trumpets' clang?

And do you tell me of a woman's tongue,

That gives not half so great a blow to hear

As will a chestnut in a farmer's fire?

Cultural Context

[Click to see note.]

Cultural Context

Roasting chestnuts over a fire causes them to pop like popcorn.

Tush, tush, fear boys with bugs.

Grumio (Petruchio’s servant)

Petruchio

Why else did I come here, if not to marry her? Do you think my ears can’t handle a little bit of noise? Why, I’ve heard lions roar. I’ve heard the raging sea in a storm, rage like an angry, sweaty boar. I’ve heard cannons on the battlefield, and the sky’s own thundering weapons. In the heat of battle, I’ve heard calls to arms, horses neighing, and trumpets blaring. And you’re trying to scare me with a woman’s voice, not even half as loud as a chestnut in a crackling fire? Oh, please. Go scare little boys with your stories.

Grumio

‘Cause he doesn’t fear them.

Gremio

Listen, Hortensio, I think this man’s arrival is a good thing — both for him and for us.

Hortensio

I told him we would pay whatever it’ll cost him to pursue Katherine.

Gremio

And we will — as long as he succeeds.

Grumio

Of course he will. I wish I were this sure I’d get a good dinner.

[Enter Tranio, brave (as Lucentio), and Biondello]

For he fears none.

Irony

“For he fears none.”

[Click to see note.]

Irony

“For he fears none.”

Here’s a bit of sarcastic irony from Petruchio’s servant. Grumio is basically saying, “My brave master is not afraid of a single bugaboo!”

Gremio

Hortensio, hark.

This gentleman is happily arrived,

My mind presumes, for his own good and ours.

Hortensio

I promised we would be contributors,

And bear his charge of wooing, whatsoe'er.

Gremio

And so we will, provided that he win her.

Grumio (Petruchio’s servant)

I would I were as sure of a good dinner.

[Enter Tranio, impersonating his master, Lucentio. Lucentio is still present, but pretending to be Cambio, a language teacher. Enter Biondello, another of Lucentio’s servants, who is playing along with their deceptions, although he’s been given a false reason for them.]

Tranio (as Lucentio)

Gentlemen, God save you. If I may be bold, tell me,

I beseech you, which is the readiest way to the house of

Signor Baptista Minola?

Biondello

Tranio

Gentlemen, good to see you. Sorry to be so blunt, but could you tell me how to get to Signor Baptista Minola’s house?

Biondello

You mean the one with the two beautiful daughters?

Tranio

Yes, Biondello, that’s the one.

Gremio

Wait a minute, sir, you’re not looking for her—

Tranio

Maybe both, him and her. What do you care?

Petruchio

I hope you don’t mean the one who’s always scolding.

Tranio

I’m not looking for anyone like that. Come on, Biondello, let’s go.

Lucentio

[Aside to Tranio] Nice job, Tranio!

Hortensio

Sir, just one thing before you go: are you pursuing the woman you’re talking about? Yes or no?

Tranio

Why, do you have a problem with that?

Gremio

No, as long as you leave right away.

Tranio

Why should I? Aren’t I as free as you are?

Gremio

Yes, but she isn’t.

Tranio

Why not?

Gremio

Because she’s the chosen love of Signor Gremio.

Hortensio

Because she’s the chosen love of Signor Hortensio.

He that has the two fair daughters, is't he you mean?

Discussion

“He that has the two fair daughters, is't he you mean”

[Click to see note.]

Discussion

“He that has the two fair daughters, is't he you mean”

This seems like an odd question for the servant Biondello to be posing to his presumed master. But remember that Lucentio has given Tranio instructions to mix in with the other suitors (Gremio and Hortensio), and let it be known that he (the assumed Lucentio) is also a suitor. Biondello is clumsily trying to help work this into the conversation.

Tranio

Even he, Biondello.

Gremio

Hark you, sir; you mean not her to —

Tranio

Perhaps him — and her, sir. What have you to do?

Petruchio

Not her that chides, sir, at any hand, I pray.

Tranio

I love no chiders, sir. Biondello, let's away.

Lucentio

[Aside to Tranio] Well begun, Tranio.

Hortensio

Sir, a word ere you go.

Are you a suitor to the maid you talk of, yea or no?

Tranio

And if I be, sir, is it any offence?

Gremio

No, if without more words you will get you hence.

Tranio

Why, sir, I pray, are not the streets as free

For me as for you?

Gremio

But so is not she.

Tranio

For what reason, I beseech you?

Gremio

For this reason, if you'll know,

That she's the choice love of Signor Gremio.

Hortensio

That she's the chosen of Signor Hortensio.

Tranio

Performance

Tranio, Lines 234-243

Softly, my masters! If you be gentlemen,

Do me this right: hear me with patience.

Baptista is a noble gentleman,

To whom my father is not all unknown;

Tranio

Settle down, gentlemen! Do me a favor and listen to me. Baptista is a noble gentleman, who knows my father. The prettier the girl, the more suitors she should have. In fact, if his daughter were even prettier, she’d have even more suitors—including me. Leda’s daughter, Helen of Troy, had a thousand men competing for her, so why shouldn’t Bianca have one more? So she will. Lucentio will pursue her, even if Paris himself joins the competition.

Gremio

Well! This guy will out-talk us all.

Lucentio

Oh, let him. I know he won’t last long.

Petruchio

Hortensio, what’s he talking about?

Hortensio

[To Tranio] Sir, I hope you won’t mind me asking, but have you ever actually seen Baptista’s daughter?

Tranio

No, but I hear he has two. One of them is famous for her rudeness, the other is famous for her beauty and her good behavior.

Petruchio

I’m pursuing the first one, so leave her alone.

Gremio

Yeah, leave that task to Hercules — it’ll be the hardest thing he’s had to do.

And were his daughter fairer than she is,

She may more suitors have, and me for one.

Discussion

“were his daughter fairer than she is, she may more suitors have”

[Click to see note.]

Discussion

“were his daughter fairer than she is, she may more suitors have”

It’s possible that on occasion, Shakespeare got so caught up in his language that he didn’t realize that the literal meaning of his words wasn’t what he intended. What he meant to say is that even if Bianca were less fair than she is, there’s no reason why she shouldn’t have more suitors.

Fair Leda's daughter had a thousand wooers;

Then well one more may fair Bianca have;

And so she shall. Lucentio shall make one,

Though Paris came in hope to speed alone.

Mythological Allusion

Helen of Troy

[Click to see note.]

Mythological Allusion

Helen of Troy

Helen of Troy was the “face that launched a thousand ships”. According to Greek mythology, Helen, who was the daughter of Leda, was the most beautiful woman in the world. As such, she had many suitors, one of whom was the Trojan prince Paris. Disappointed when her father selected someone else to be her husband, Paris kidnapped Helen and took her to Troy. Noblemen from throughout Greece joined together and sailed to Troy to get her back. The resulting war and its aftermath are the subjects of the two most famous works in literature, Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey.

Gremio

What, this gentleman will out-talk us all.

Lucentio (as Cambio, a teacher)

Sir, give him head. I know he'll prove a jade.

Petruchio

Hortensio, to what end are all these words?

Hortensio

[To Tranio] Sir, let me be so bold as ask you,

Did you yet ever see Baptista's daughter?

Tranio

No, sir, but hear I do that he hath two.

The one as famous for a scolding tongue,

As is the other for beauteous modesty.

Petruchio

Sir, sir, the first's for me; let her go by.

Gremio

Yea, leave that labor to great Hercules,

And let it be more than Alcides' twelve.

Mythological Allusion

“leave that labor to great Hercules ... more than Alcides' twelve”

[Click to see note.]

Mythological Allusion

“leave that labor to great Hercules ... more than Alcides' twelve”

The mythic hero Hercules, also known as Alcides, successfully performed twelve seemingly impossible tasks assigned to him by the gods. Gremio thinks that wooing Katherina would be even more difficult than these labors.

Petruchio

Performance

Petruchio, Lines 255-260

Sir, understand you this of me — in sooth,

The youngest daughter whom you hearken for,

Her father keeps from all access of suitors,

And will not promise her to any man

Petruchio

Listen to me, sir. Baptista is hiding his youngest daughter, the one you want, from all her suitors. He won’t let anyone court her until her older sister’s married. Then, and no sooner, will Bianca be free.

Tranio

Are you telling the truth, that you’re the one who’s going to help us all out? That you’ll break the ice for us and marry the older sister to set the younger one free, so we can court her? If you pull this off, then whoever’s lucky enough to end up with Bianca will thank you, I’m sure.

Hortensio

Well said, sir. It seems like you get the picture. Since you say you’re one of the suitors, you’ll have to join us in paying this gentleman. After all, we all owe him one.

Tranio

I promise I won’t disappoint. In fact, let’s meet up this afternoon, and toast to Bianca’s health. We should be like opposing lawyers: we’ll fight in the court, but eat and drink as friends.

Grumio and Biondello

Great idea! Let’s go, guys.

Hortensio

It’s a great idea indeed, let’s do it. Petruchio, your drinks are on me.